faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest.

"Relying on its kindness in this as in all other things, and actuated by that fervent love towards it, which is so natural to a man who views it as the native soil of himself and his progenitors for several generations, I anticipate with pleasing expectations that retreat in which I promise myself to realize, without alloy, the sweet enjoyment of partaking in the midst of my fellow-citizens the benign influence of good laws under a free government, the ever favourite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labours, and dan gers."

CHAPTER XIV.

HE long, and anxiously anticipated period, at length came, when the greatest of men might quietly repose under the shadow of that tree of Liberty, which he himself had planted in a soil enriched with the blood of her sons. Mount Vernon became no scene of luxurious ease, for the active habits which Washington had formed in the field and in the cabinet were still preserved. But the sword was exchanged for implements of husbandry, and the parade and circumstance of power for the quiet and unostentatious enjoyments of domestic life. Mount Vernon became the Mecca of freemen, who thronged its hospitable doors from all parts of Christendom. The ministers of foreign nations paid first their respects to the president incumbent, and then bent their steps to the peaceful and glorious retirement of the man who had given a new impulse to humanity, and whose name had

become a word of hope to the enslaved and downtrodden in the remotest empires. Philosophers, and statesmen, and men of letters came to converse with the nearest approach to a faultless man which the world has furnished. His old companions in arms, too, were frequent and welcome visitors, with whom he delighted to live over again the days of suffering or of triumph through which they had passed. He wore now, by the assent of the world, the triple wreath, which never had been worn so worthily by other man, of Hero, Patriot and Sage.

Washington's manners were at all times dignified, but the most humble citizen had never more simplicity. One day, after his return to his farm, he was visited by Colonel Meade, an old friend, who, meeting Mr. Custis, a relative of Mrs. Washington, at the mansion, inquired of him where he could see the General. Mr. Custis, not knowing Colonel Meade, replied, that Washington was out; and, giving directions as to the part of the farm on which he would probably be found, added, “You will meet, sir, with an old gentleman, riding alone, in plain drab clothes, a broad-brimmed white hat, a hickory switch in his hand, and carrying an umbrella, with a long staff, which is attached to his saddle-bow: that sir, is General Washington." Colonel Meade replied,

"Thank you, thank you, young gentleman; I think, if I fall in with the General, I shall be apt to know him."

This anecdote will give an idea of Washington's appearance at this period, but we may here give a more accurate description of his person, by Mr. Custis, who was with him constantly in the last days of his life. His great physical powers, so remarkable in his maturity, were in his limbs, which were long, large, and sinewy. His frame was of equal breadth from the shoulders to the hips. His chest, though broad and expansive, was not prominent, but rather hollowed in the centre. He had suffered from a pulmonary affection in early life, from which he never entirely recovered. His frame showed an extraordinary development of bone and muscle; his joints were large, as were his feet; and could a cast have been preserved of his hand, to be exhibited in these degenerate days, it would be said to have belonged to the being of a fabulous age. During the last visit of Lafayette to Mount Vernon, among many, and interesting relations of events that occurred in olden days, he said to Mr. Custis: "It was in this portico that you were introduced to me in 1784; you were then holding by a single finger of

the good General's remarkable hand, which was all that you could do, my dear sir, at that time."

In the various exhibitions of Washington's physical prowess, they were apparently attended by scarcely any effort. When he overthrew the strong man of Virginia in wrestling, while many of the young athlete of the times were engaged in the manly games, Washington had retired to the shade of a tree, intent upon the perusal of a favourite volume; and it was only when the champion of the games strode through the ring, calling for nobler competitors, and taunting the student with the reproach that it was the fear of encountering so redoubted an antagonist that kept him from the ring, that Washington closed his book, and without divesting himself of his coat, calmly walked into the arena, observing that fear formed no part of his being; then grappling with the champion, the struggle was fierce but momentary, "for," said the vanquished hero of the arena, "in Washington's iron-like grasp, I became powerless and was hurled to the ground, with a force that seemed to jar the very marrow in my bones; while the victor, regardless of the shouts that proclaimed his triumph, leisurely retired to his shade, and enjoyment of his favourite volume."

The power of Washington's arm was displayed